GMC says it has excess water but grapples to meet demand

GHAZIABAD: Water crisis in Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC) area is likely to worsen this summer, as the civic body grapples to bridge the gap between residents’ demand and its own supply.

The GMC has 337 MLD (million litres per day) of water, when demand in the civic area is 328 MLD. But on the ground, the civic body supplies only 256 MLD to the residents. The rest — 72 MLD — is lost to leakages and other factors. “Non-revenue water accounts for 24% of the total water produced, which we lose to leakage and other deficiencies in the existing infrastructure. As a result, although we produce water in excess to the demand, we can supply far less than what residents need,” said BK Singh, the general manager, water works department, GMC. The civic area has a population of 19 lakh and despite a 2,547-km pipeline, 22% residents face water shortage. Sahibabad and Vijaynagar are two of the most affected areas. Of the 337 MLD the GMC gets, 93 MLD is from Gangajal water supply project, which mostly caters to Vasundhara zone and delta colonies like Surya Vihar. The civic body gets 244 MLD by extracting groundwater, which it stores in 67 overhead tanks. The GMC has also 24 underground water reservoirs at its disposal. During summer, the crisis worsens, as the groundwater level goes down and boring becomes difficult. “Of the 6,982 hand pumps in the civic area, 569 are defunct because the water table has gone down and there is an urgent need of re-boring,” Singh said. The GMC has identified 20 spots where deep tubewell re-boring is required. According to an official, the average water table in the city is between 120 and 130 feet. Five years ago, it was at 100 feet. This time, many residents might have to depend on packaged water to fulfil their potable needs.

A resident of Kavinagar, TP Tyagi , said to deal with water shortage, the GMC should lay stress on the Gangajal project. “There is nothing one can do about the receding groundwater level as such. The water is also contaminated. The best option available (to procure more water) is the Gangajal project , ” he said. Asked about plans the civic body has to strengthen its water infrastructure, an official said there are plans to invest Rs 30 crore on laying pipelines under AMRUT scheme. The Prime MInister had inaugurated the project in March.